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- UK Funds Resume DP World Deals; Sudan Courts British Capital; YouTube Removes Activist Channel
UK Funds Resume DP World Deals; Sudan Courts British Capital; YouTube Removes Activist Channel
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Sunday, February 15, 2026
Happy Sunday everyone!
Global capital and platform power shifts dominated headlines this week. La Caisse and the UK’s British International Investment resumed joint deals with DP World after leadership changes, with the Canadian fund having invested over $5 billion alongside the ports operator. In London, Sudan’s Finance Minister Gebril Ibrahim urged UK investors to move early in a proposed post-war recovery, even as GDP contracts sharply and inflation remains in triple digits. Meanwhile, YouTube removed the channel of U.S. activist Guy Christensen (50,000+ subscribers), citing policy violations, following prior Instagram and TikTok actions.
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UK and Canadian Funds Resume DP World Deals After Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem Steps Down
What Is It About?
Canada’s second-largest pension fund, La Caisse, and the UK’s British International Investment (BII) said they will resume joint investments with DP World following leadership changes at the Dubai-based ports operator. BII said it “welcomes” the new leadership and looks forward to resuming its partnership after freezing deals pending “required actions.” La Caisse, which has invested over $5 billion alongside DP World, said the company had taken “the appropriate measures.”
Why It Matters?
DP World appointed Essa Kazim as Chairman and Yuvraj Narayan as Group CEO, placing new leadership at the helm of one of Dubai’s most strategically important global trade operators. Both roles were previously held by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem.
What’s Next?
The leadership transition follows individual investigations and exclusive reports from Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times, which analyzed US DOJ documents to examine communication between convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
Smashi Business Goes Live with Foodics Founder Ahmad AlZaini at Step Dubai
The Smashi Business Show went LIVE from the Step Conference centre stage in Dubai this week, recording a special episode with Ahmad AlZaini, Saudi-based founder and CEO of Foodics.
From scaling one of the region’s largest F&B tech platforms to building in Saudi under Vision 2030, AlZaini shared insights on government backing, choosing the right consultancies, and delivering the perfect founder pitch.
If you’re building in the region, this one’s worth your time.
Sudan Urges UK Investors to Lead Post-War Rebuild
What Is It About?
Sudan’s government hosted a high-level reconstruction forum in London, urging British and international investors to engage early in what officials described as a post-war recovery phase. Finance Minister Gebril Ibrahim told the UK private sector that “those who come first will be the most successful,” highlighting incentives and priority sectors including infrastructure, energy, mining, telecoms and agribusiness. The pitch comes as Sudan’s economy remains under severe strain, with GDP contracting sharply and inflation in triple digits.
Why It Matters?
Sudan faces a reconstruction bill likely running into tens of billions of dollars, with over 10 million displaced and core infrastructure damaged. With the currency weakening and public revenues constrained, recovery will depend heavily on foreign capital, banking reform and renewed engagement with international financial institutions.
What’s Next?
Investor appetite will hinge on security guarantees, a durable ceasefire and policy clarity. Without political stability and restored financial linkages, conference commitments may struggle to translate into real capital deployment.
YouTube Removes Activist Channel, Fueling Debate Over Platform Moderation
What Is It About?
YouTube has removed the channel of U.S.-based pro-Palestinian activist Guy Christensen, citing repeated violations of its policy on content promoting violent organizations, including Hamas. Christensen, who says he had more than 50,000 subscribers, denies referencing such groups and says his content focused on Gaza. The move follows a recent Instagram suspension and TikTok demonetization. He previously won a January 2026 court case against Ohio State University over First Amendment claims.
Why It Matters?
The ban intensifies debate over platform moderation, free speech, and geopolitical content enforcement. Supporters argue it reflects broader silencing of pro-Palestinian voices, while platforms face regulatory pressure to police extremist content. Christensen has also promoted UpScrolled, a fast-growing app launched by developer Issam Hijazi, reportedly surpassing 2.5 million users.
What’s Next?
Attention now turns to whether creators migrate to alternative platforms like UpScrolled and whether further regulatory scrutiny reshapes moderation standards across major tech companies. Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda, who has more than 1.4 million followers, has also faced account removals on TikTok, adding to broader concerns among some creators about enforcement consistency across platforms.
🦄 World of Startups
Mersal Media Capital secures $1.3 million in first funding round
Dubai-based Antoine Kanaan’s Haqq AI, a legal-tech platform, raised $3M.
Notion Expands into Middle East with Launch of Arabic Support
Wio Bank Partners with Pine Labs to Revolutionise UAE Payment Processing
Vennre Secures $9.6M to Democratise Wealth-Building in Saudi Arabia
Jeel and Ripple Join Forces to Revolutionise Saudi Payments with Blockchain
👨💻From Smashi Business’ Desk
Binghatti Chairman Meets Justin Trudeau as Developer Expands Global Footprint
Syrian Founder Yasmeen Jisri’s Bake My Day Lands Major Dove Collaboration
Beauty mogul Mona Kattan is using her platform for good, calling on millions of followers to help support Iran.
Emmy-winning Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda says TikTok has permanently banned her account.
Dubai-born Noon smartly turns the viral penguin into a delivery hero
🔍In other news…
UAE's du to invest in Singapore-India-Gulf subsea cable system for high data connectivity
Gulf states build on UAE’s Mars breakthrough
Gold prices in Dubai drop below Dh600 per gram, lose Dh11 in 24 hours
Trump expected to attend Saudi FII conference in Miami, sources say
Emirates to halt Algeria flights in February 2027
🗓️ Plan Your Events (March-April 2026)
UAE
31 March - 2 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Arab Media Summit, Dubai.
26-28 March (Thursday-Saturday): Social Capital Conference, Dubai.
7-9 April (Tuesday-Thursday): Future Health Summit, Adnec Center Abu Dhabi.
13-15 April (Monday-Wednesday): AIM Congress, Dubai World Trade Center.
14-16 April: (Tuesday-Thursday): the International Property Show, Dubai World Trade Center.
Saudi Arabia
13-16 April (Monday-Thursday): Leap Tech Conference, Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center - Malham.
20-22 April (Monday-Wednesday): Sports Investment Forum (SIF), Riyadh
Egypt
30 March – 1 April (Monday-Wednesday): Egypt International Energy Conference and Exhibition (EGYPES).
